San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-05-10
GREEDY IN SAN ANTONIO.


How tre Great Arctic Hero Laid the Mill
tary Telegraph and Met the
Hornets.
"MGny San Antonians," said Mr.. q. l..
DIgnowity to LIGHT perigrinator,
care not aware that Greedy, the Arctic
hero. was at one time attached to the
military department here as signal OFF,
Ger and superintended the laying OF the
military telegraph line from this point
to Fort Brown. A good story Is told OF
his celebrated insulatOr, which ls worth
repetition. This necessary article had
been prepared under his direction, espe-
cially adapted for the requirements OF
the line, and consisted OF lacquered
iron cap over a dry wood screw, and
looked more like q tomato can than any
thing else. The line was laid, the insu-
lators fixed, and everything worked well
for time, but soon after IL became IT.
regular and uncertain, and was the
cause OF considerable profanity among
the operators. The line was up and
apparently all right but 1t wouldn't
work, and it got worse every day
when IL was suggested that the insula-
tors were defective, Greedy WAS indig-
nant, but it was soon afterwards found
that the Texas hornets had come TO the
conclusion that these insulators were
erected by the government for their
especial benefit and were filling them all
up with mud, etc., making their home In
them. When Greedy made this discov-
cry he also found that they were adopts
in the use Of their sting and his face and
other parts OF his body proved the fact.
Another supply Of different insulator
L. M hnrnata 10
men had about as good time rs the
Irish police have in evicting tenant
where the populace are against IL. The
men relieved their feelings by
swearing, and their wounds by arnlcs,
but they were anxious to avoid further
service 10 a similar line. They didn't
mind fighting Indiana, but when 1t came
to Texas hornets they were prepared to
throw up their hands and quit. 1t was
long tedious job, but when the bliZ-
Zard came they managed to finish their
disagreeable tasks. While Greedy was
here he was very popular, but was more
admired than loved. He WAS then
noted to be a man ofsingular determine
ton, and good Gisciplinarian. He never
gave unreasonable commands, and was
reputed to be considerable of bis men,
but when he gave an order 1t had to be
obeyed or there was trouble in the
camp. The last time l saw him in
Texas he and party were surveying
near Eagle Pass. 1t was very
hot day and Greedy lay on
the prairie protected from the
heat Of the suns rays by blanket
tied to the surrounding mesquite bushes.
When | next met him it was at Ports
mouth, New Hampshire, when l was
out on my bridal tour. Greedy was then
the Arctic hero, and his name was on
everyone's tongue. He was being well
coined home then, and you never saw
such crowd in your life. His ship laid
out and visitors had to be taken there in
boats. My friends and l went in the
John Shaw" vessel chartered to
carry $50 persons, but there were up
wards of 200 souls on board. AS q result,
the vessel dipped" almost to sinking,
and it took the captain all his time to
caution the people to keep perfectly still
and balance the bost. | can tell you
many were badly scared on that trip and
| confess that | wouldn't have made a
large bet that | would return to San
Antonio. However, we got TO Greely's
ship all right. Then / saw Greedy, he
was the same Greedy as in Texas, but
more fleshy. 1t was, however, painfully
evident that he was weak and that his
flabby flesh was delusive. One thing Of
that day | remember; the thieves had
regular picnic during the rush, and
many were bowling loudly because they
had fallen among thieves"